Kayvon Thibodeaux Fuels Oregon Football Recruiting Surge

It seems like a lifetime ago, but Kayvon Thibodeaux committed to Oregon only 1,230 days ago. Yep, that’s how many days have passed since December 15, 2018. And that is the day Thibodeaux pledged his commitment to Oregon over USC, Bama and other national heavyweights.

His commitment remains the biggest commitment in program history. The residue of that massive signing continues to resonate with recruits in Southern California and beyond.

In the 2019 class Thibodeuax was the nation’s No. 2 ranked player. He was the top-ranked recruit in the state of California and the No. 2 EDGE/WDE in his class.

FWIW, the No. 1 player in that class was Georgia EDGE/WDE Nolan Smith. As we know now, Smith developed into a linebacker for the Dawgs as Thibodeaux held true to his position playing off the edge. Lastly, Smith opted to return to Georgia for another season.

Those 1,230 days were really a landmark in recruiting. It can’t be overstated how massive that signing was for Oregon. That was Mario Cristobal’s first real signing class at Oregon. That year Oregon finished No. 7 in the recruiting rankings.

I recall that Dec. 15 very well. The highly televised commitment of Thibodeaux on ESPN was nerve-racking. For myself, for Oregon fans. His recruitment went back and forth. And many thought Bama might make a late play for Thibodeaux and Duck fans would be decimated.

Thibodeaux took his official visit to Oregon on October 13. As we’d later find out, that visit was pivotal to his decision to commit to Oregon. The Ducks beat Washington in overtime in one of the most thrilling games in the modern era of the rivalry. Fans stormed the field and Thibs was front and center taking it all in.

It wasn’t long after I put in my prediction for Oregon, although it was on the old ScoopDuck forum which is no longer active. But I will admit, I remained nervous about Alabama.

Just four days later Thibodeaux put pen to paper making it official signing with the Ducks in the early signing period. Again a huge shift in recruiting for the Oregon program.

I mean don’t get me wrong, the DAT signing was massive too. USC fans still wake up with nightmares of that day. And while his commitment was big, the Thibodeaux signing was program-altering.

Although Oregon had landed some big commits in the 2019 class already, Mase Funa, Mykael Wright, Mycah Pittman just to name a few, Thibodeaux changed the game. That signaled the changing of the guard in Southern California.

While Clay Helton floundered, Mario Cristobal flourished.

Then Thibs showed up and torched Pac-12 offenses to the tune of 9 sacks. AS A FRESHMAN. He had a historic first year being named to numerous first teams, freshman All-America teams and more. It increased the impact of his commitment to Oregon.

Cristobal parlayed that into another banner year of recruiting with the No. 14 ranked class in 2020. That class was highlighted by another So Cal star, linebacker Justin Flowe. As you’ll recall, Flowe was a five-star coming out of high school, the No. 6 player nationally and the second highest-rated commit to ever sign with Oregon. (FWIW, Bryce Young was the No. 1 California prospect in 2020 who eventually signed with Bama)

The ride continued for Cristobal with Oregon signing the No. 7 ranked class in 2021, his final full class at Oregon before departing for Miami. Oregon also plucked wide receiver Troy Franklin that year out of California, the No. 2 player from the state. (EDGE Korey Foreman signed with USC)

Now recruiting Southern California recruiting has shifted. Both Mario Cristobal and Clay Helton are gone. Dan Lanning and Lincoln Riley are in town and USC has regained a better presence in So Cal already.

But Oregon appears set to compete for the nation’s best under Dan Lanning. While the reign over So Cal might have taken a hit, I doubt it will disappear completely.

However it was that December 15, 2018 date, roughly 1,230 days ago, that got things rolling. Tonight Thibodeaux will cement his legendary Oregon status as a first-round draft pick in the NFL draft.